Welcome to my birding blog - first launched 12th March 2012...
15-22 February 2015
A fairly quiet week at my office...
15th-22nd February
Eleven year ticks since my last post [including surf scoter adult male, skylark, black-bellied dipper, waxwing, black swan, taiga bean goose; woodcock] but not a lot of success photographically speaking.
Sunday 15th February
Early on we called at Forge Valley and put out seed. We saw nuthatch and then at Hackness Lake a group of about 6 mandarin. Grindale turned up the rough-legged buzzard within a few minutes. At Filey the surf scoter was great but [wisely as it turned out] I didn't take my camera down onto the Brigg which is good as I fell spectacularly on a slippery rock! Later that day we went to Buckton looking for SEO for Barry in unsuitable conditions. I took some shots of the seabirds and we saw skylarks but no owls.
Gannets in flight are relatively easy from Bempton. Auks are more of a challenge... guillemot
Tuesday 17th February
A quick trip to Loscoe Lake near Normanton [wrongly 'advertised' as Normy Lake!] to see the american wigeon - a success but the yank was a bit skittish and distant for a photo. Then we drove to Flamborough for some quality geese - which we failed to locate. On the way home we dropped in on the black-bellied dipper.
Thursday 19th February
During the week we had several views of a solitary waxwing on Beckfield Lane, York - about 200 yards from home. This year that was a very good sighting given the scarcity of waxwings. Barry and I went north on the Thursday and saw a taiga bean goose with pinkfeet. I don't mean the bean goose had pink feet!! We also saw my second green-winged teal of the year at Dorman's pool.
In Ward Jackson Park, Hartlepool we photographed goosanders and tufted ducks.
Meanwhile back at home Sheila was photographing our new but increasingly regular garden visitor...
Later that day we set off on the Greatham Creek walk in the hope of a spotshank for Barry. We didn't need to walk far.
Saturday 21st February
After a trip on the Kirklees Light Railway...
A couple of videos too!
...Sheila and I went north to Nosterfield to see the Flask Lake starling murmuration. It was pretty impressive too.
Sunday 22nd February
Another fruitless wild goose chase to Flamborough. One pinkfoot but no white-fronted geese seen. Woodcock seen and photoed at South Landing made my day!
Other attempts to locate key birds failed in worsening weather. Holbeck did hold a very tame med. gull. It had no intention of taking to the air however close I got. Uncropped...
160 UK 2015
6th Feb 2014 ff
Who knows what will happen next?
Friday 6th February
Another trip north to the Jewish cemetery at Hartlepool Headland in search of a shore lark. No sign although some locals had seen it that morning. I headed for Greatham Creek and picked up spotshank and greenshank. The spotted was skittish and refused to stay still. The greenshank was more accommodating.
I returned to the cemetery area later and saw the shore lark. Then I drove to Nosterfield and picked up little owl and brent goose.
Sunday 8th February
Barry and I headed back to Middlesbrough. First we walked along the Old River Tees behind Morrisons in Middlesbrough and eventually saw the green sandpiper. This was my third attempt! Always lots of redshank there but this time we struck lucky. Next stop the mound by the Jewish cemetery in Hartlepool to see if we could get the shore lark for Barry. We paused en route at the marina: some mergansers were present.
This was a really good choice as I got some nice photos of the lark. Notice the floating rock!!
We walked down Greenabella to see the waders. A seal was happily basking on the mud. Looks quite contented.
A kestrel entertained us later.
South Gare next: linnets and allegedly twite but we couldn't differentiate the few twite from the linnets [if they were still with the flock we saw]. Barry fed the gulls - mainly black-headed but a couple of common gulls came in too.
Roxby near Staithes next. Reports of a ring ouzel either behind the phone box or behind the pile of turnips! Sounded unlikely but the reports were numerous and over a number of days. In fact now, almost a week later, he's under a brown hut! Here he is.
Final call at Skinningrove where we saw a pair of stonechats. Fading light [Skinningrove is very shaded late afternoon] but fulmars on the cliffs too. I managed to get a photo of the female stonechat.
Tuesday February 10th
A bit further afield, I decided to go to Grindleton near Clitheroe to see a long-staying great grey shrike at Pinewood Farm SD747474. After walking around the area I spotted him perched high up in a silver birch, some way off and not where I could get closer.
He flew off, swooping low and disappearing. I returned to the car watching goldcrests high in the conifers. Eventually I relocated the bird on a wire much closer. I edged closer still [still not very close however!].
The plan was to drive across country to Nosterfield for some geese... En route I saw some red grouse...
..and then a large raptor coming closer. I stopped the car and grabbed the camera. this was at Lumley Moor about 5m from Ripon.
I could hear him.
Sadly the plan fell apart. After a lovely drive Nosterfield was shrouded in thick fog. I went to Hartlepool and enjoyed distant scope views of great northern diver and black guillemot inside the fish quay.
Update: Friday 13th February
Rufforth airfield near home - iceland gull spotted thanks to local larophile!
149 UK 2015
17th Jan-4th Feb 2015
As good as it gets!
N.B This blog contains some short videos.
You may need an up-to-date version of Adobe Flash player to watch them.
Saturday 17th January
The drive north to Nethy Bridge was very pleasant. As I approached the mountains I had a foretaste of what was to come - somewhere north of Perth.
Sunday 18th January
The first day we headed east out of the snow and rain to Aberdeen to see if we could catch up with the harlequin duck which was well settled at Seaton Park. Whilst seeking out our quarry we saw dipper on the River Don.
It took us some time to locate the bird upstream of the park itself and near a fast flowing stretch that it clearly enjoyed. Here are some of the best images of this great bird.
I tried to get a shot looking back upstream into the light.
This required some agility balancing on a rock whilst holding onto a piece of security fence! I returned to the first spot to take some more. The bird took no notice of us: in fact it came closer and closer...
Back at the car park one crow was especially tame.
The first day finished at Lossiemouth east beach where we picked up the green-winged teal and a flock of snow buntings.
Monday 19th January
After Aberdeen in the east we headed west to Ullapool. The drive was spectacular: I felt we were somewhere near the arctic circle!
Spot the red deer!
We couldn't locate the ivory gull we had come to see in Ullapool harbour. We did see some hooded crows there but we knew the bird also frequented a fish farm at Ardmair a couple of miles away...
The bird was spotted across the bay but distant even with the scope. It's feeding on scraps - in the image just above the workers at the salmon farm.
We hoped it would come closer. Meanwhile we watched black guillemots, divers, ravens, shags, mergansers and even a little grebe. An otter swam quite close.
A robin wanted to make friends and climbed on and even into our vehicle.
I think the noise of my shutter spooked him!
Eventually the workers towed the day's 'catch' back to our shore -and, bless him, the gull came too!
Here's a short video taken with my phone.
Tuesday 20th January
Loch Garten was an early morning visit to see if we could find some crested tits. Never seen so many - battalions you might say - of coal tits. Here are the cresties.
Somehow they look better up in a tree although in fact they spent more time on the ground.
My favourite crestie image!
Later that day we spent some time at Insh Marshes RSPB - much snow and ice, few birds close at hand. Ravens, hundreds of red grouse and golden eagle watched distantly. The ruins of Ruthven Barracks looked austere in the monochrome winter light. They still have a tale to tell.
Due to continued unrest in Scotland, the British government decided to build fortified barracks in strategic locations: the new barracks at Ruthven were completed in 1721 on the castle hilltop. The barracks accommodated 120 troops and 28 horses for dragoons. In August 1745 a unit of 12 British soldiers defended the barracks against 200 Jacobites and lost just one man. The following year they surrendered to a larger force of Jacobites.
On the day after the Culloden in 1746, some 3,000 Jacobites retreated to Fort Ruthven but they were sent home by Prince Charles Edward Stuart as their situation was hopeless.The departing Jacobites destroyed the barracks on 17 April 1746.Only the remnants remain
A few whoopers remained on the marsh.
Wednesday 21st January
A day in the Nairn-Findhorn Bay- Lossiemouth area. Not many photos but wonderful scope views of slavonian grebes [probably at least 30 altogether] and equally huge numbers of pristine long-tailed ducks, probably a couple of hundred seen. Many were beautiful males. This female graced us with her presence by coming to have a look at us at Nairn Golf Club.
In Lossiemouth in late afternoon the RAF squadrons were returning to base.
As were squadrons of sanderling!
My first grey plover of the year was there too with some dunlin [and a ringed plover].
Thursday 22nd January - Cairn Gorm
A wonderful day for me. Things I'd never done before and a bird I'd dreamt about...
We arrived at the base station to catch the funicular to the top of Cairn Gorm. Snow buntings were in the car park. In the snow too!!
Wouldn't mind a go on one of those...
...or even on this one!
We waited our turn to take a ride to snowland! Off we go!
We soon spotted a distant ptarmigan in our scopes. However, later, after celebratory hot chocolate, we were treated to amazingly close views of a pair of male ptarmigans. I took a few photos of course! A lifer for me, I may never experience views of ptarmigan like this ever again so apologies for the sheer number of photos!
Nice feathered feet!
Friday 23rd January
To Dingwall to see a rather special gull in Pefferside Park, on the frozen boating lake. Forget your ivory gulls, this bird had everything. Smart in two ways: looks and intelligence. He wasn't interested in Tesco's bread but he would sell his very soul for Hobnob biscuits! A bird I've waited many times for in Mirfield, West Yorks [and seen, admittedly a couple of times] but not one with the charisma of this bird. So again, no apologies for so many photos.
The ice was slippery!
Above: Personality!
Not 100% sharp but I liked this shot.
The light changed as the sky brightened.
Saturday 24th January: the journey home
I took the east coast route, passing Bass Rock.
Crossing the Forth road bridge...
...I paused to photograph the famous rail bridge.
Sunday 25th January
A fruitless trip to Pugney's for the legendary smew. Goldeneye, but no white nun.
Whoopers at North Duffield.
It rained golden plover. What else can you spot? At least four other species I think!
Greylags came straight at me and veered away at the last moment!
Friday 30th January
My third attempt to see the short-eared owls at Buckton. At least the weather was right this time. I was hopeful.
Gannets and fulmars were on the cliffs already.
An owl was sunning himself on the Heligoland trap.
He flew off.
Another bird came and landed on the roof of the trap.
February 1st: National Smew Day
On the River Calder at Pugney's CP. Why is a male duck called a nun? Who cares! Smew at last.
Unintentionally I spooked it. Not the kind of thing I like to do. I was annoyed with myself.
Fortunately we saw it again on the nature reserve lake. It didn't go far.
Monday 2nd February
A day near Saltholme. A kingfisher was fishing from the sand martin wall at the visitor centre.
At Phil Stead hide a snipe was showing well.
Greatham Creek held few birds: there was an extremely high tide. Just a few mergansers lingered on the river.
This female kept flying off, circling me, and then coming back to the creek.
The sun slowly sank in the west as I decided to head for home.
Wednesday 4th February
The last lap; the first laugh!
On Tuesday a laughing gull was reported at New Brighton, on a pontoon on the marine lake. A potential lifer, I arranged to stay at my mother-in-law's overnight and see the bird the following morning. I hoped. Eventually it came but only stayed a few minutes. On subsequent days it has been much better behaved. Anyway, I saw it and got a few pictures. Lifer 414 UK.
The last laugh. Seems a good place to end this mammoth blog. Hope you enjoyed the photos.
01.01.15ff
Let's go birding 2015!
A slow start
Barry and I decided to stick to our January 1st tradition and go to Hartlepool area to see how many different birds we could see to kick-start our year list. We debated whether to go for the little bustard but decided not to. Regrets? No, not really - as we set off we didn't know if it would still be around.
The weather was not great but we saw over 60 birds including goosander, long-eared owl, parakeets, purple sandpipers and, perhaps best of all, the Redcar velvet scoters [plus common scoter] and long-tailed ducks.
January 2nd I headed Bridlington way but the bustard had gone. Generally all was quiet and very windy on the coast. I photographed some rock pipits at South Landing.
Later I headed inland to Blacktoft. I wonder what frightened off the mallards?
Marsh and hen harriers were seen. Practising levitation...
January 4th at Fairburn Ings for a couple of hours. Camera in hand in good light I snapped away at a few fairly common birds. Tufted duck...
Barry fed some left-over bread to the black-headed gulls. Time for total chaos!
Long-tailed tits came to the feeder area.
...as did a friendly robin who wanted to be photographed by all the visitors!
Up in the trees fieldfares and greenfinch were spotted.
Saltholme 11th January
We set off late morning and spent some time in the hides. Phil Stead hide was very quiet; a shelduck and a redshank were seen. We moved on to the watchpoint hide.
I photographed some of the smaller birds. Nice bokeh!
We met another reed bunting out on our walk while looking for stonechats.
Late afternoon near the fish dock, Barry spotted our glaucous gull land on the quayside.
January 12th: Scaling Dam
Well in truth I started at Redcar looking for the black redstart again but couldn't locate it. I did see my first pied wagtails of the year! Up at Scaling I saw marsh tits and brambling. Later that afternoon as the light failed I was pleased to meet stonechats at Skinningrove - no photos of them I'm afraid... Still, here's a couple from Scaling, including a leucistic coot!
Record shot at some distance - and then cropped.
January 13th: Swinefleet
Reading Gate Road to be precise. Seven swans and all Bewick's!
All quiet at Blacktoft. The rats were happy!
January 14th: West Yorkshire Tour
I started at Mixenden reservoir because the pager confirmed early on that the great northern diver was still present.
The whole area was covered by an inch of snow and looked wonderful in the sunlight.
I soon spotted the diver. With an exact knowledge of geometry it was equidistant from the shore no matter which direction you approached it from!
A kestrel landed in a nearby pine tree.
Next stop Pugney's to seek the smew. Never found it although I walked forever... Saw 30+ great crested grebes, pochards by the score. Here's Sandal Castle from the main lake at Pugney's.
A few goldeneye were about: this female was on the River Calder.
I always find carrion crows difficult to approach - they fly off or do that bouncing run and keep their distance. For once I found a friendly crow. Enjoy!
I walked to the nature reserve lake - more pochards and great crested grebes.
We think they're asleep but they are watching you!
Female pochards get little attention but they are much less common than their brighter male counterparts. I counted 3 to over 20 males.
Saving the best till last, but it actually happened that way. Final stop on Wednesday 14/1 was at New Swillington Ings, walking down the causeway from Mickletown. I expected a long and possibly fruitless walk looking for a black-necked grebe late in the afternoon but decided to give it a go. The causeway was passable but only just. Two-thirds of the way along I spotted something other than the ubiquitous coots.
My best shot.
Thanks BNG!
Walking back in the fading light I spooked a little egret from the reedbed.
Current 2015 total: 98
30.11.14-29.12.14
End of the innings
Final score 267 [year list UK] for 9 [lifers]
It seems a long time since I posted any news. That's not because I haven't been out birding but because when I did get out it was often not for a bird that was easily photographed. Additionally I have been a little tied up at home while we had some fairly major building work completed. Nonetheless I did see the following since the isabelline wheatear at Seaton Carew: the Blyth's pipit [Is there anyone left who hasn't seen the flying dart?], my first woodcock of the year, the Richard's pipits and a glaucous gull. And who'll be there on New Year's Day to see the pipit again? Not I. We are off to Hartlepool to kick start our year list. 75 to beat [2013: it was a mere 71 in 2014].
I also had a few trips out when I saw very little - of which more as we go along. Finally I will finish with my view of my highlights this year - and of my targets for next. Revealing them to my readers will spur me on! But first of all...
Sunday 30th November
I failed to find the short-eared owls at Buckton for the second time. The weather really wasn't fit anyway. The best I managed was a juvenile sparrowhawk at the Bempton feeding station.
We now leap forward to the 14th of December having left home just for a couple of hours to see the Blyth's pipit do 3 fly-rounds on the 8th. On the 14th Barry and I spent an afternoon at Blacktoft where we saw 2 grey male hen harriers and one ringtail. The photos, alas, are limited to some flyover greylags and a marsh harrier in the late afternoon light. The less said about my hen harrier efforts the better!
Our next sortie was to Cleethorpes to try to see some shore larks and snow buntings. Not year ticks for me but nice photo-opps.
Friday 19th December
Barry and I went to Cleethorpes. I found Buck Beck car park from memory among the Fitties of Humberston. We immediately saw birders down on the shore and some snow buntings in the air. At times the light was really nice...
There were plenty of shelduck about too.
Christmas Eve 2014
We went up to Saltholme and visited our normal sites but saw little of note. See Barry's blog for his version! http://barryjohnbishop.blogspot.co.uk/
A drake teal and a fieldfare at the Wildlife Watchpoint at Saltholme were all I could manage.
We've definitely been in north-east mode recently. Our last 2 trips of the year took us to Redcar and Hartlepool for some nice birds...
Boxing Day 2014
Redcar by the cinema looking for a black redstart. Soon found but then lost away over the rooftops.
We went down onto the beach and found all sorts but especially a group of velvet scoters...
Flashing those white wing panels.
Common scoters were around too.
Oystercatchers flew along the shoreline close to us.
This greenfinch was at Saltholme.
At South Gare Barry fed the gulls - mainly black-headed but mixed in were a few common gulls. I concentrated on the latter...
In fact the last few days of 2014 became a bit of a gull fest, as you will see!
The final curtain call of 2014: December 29th at Hartlepool
After an abortive visit to Nosterfield for lesser white-fronted geese that have not been reported since the 28th [so it is a mystery where they went or if they were ever there at all]......we had missed the glaucous gull by the time we arrived at Hartlepool.
I was probably visibly disappointed but decided to make the best of it. I photographed this juvenile herring gull in the car park at the fish dock.
Since the glaucous had disappeared we decided to come back later and headed for Newburn Bridge. My old friend, lamp-post loving Medusa was present and put on a good show in good light.
Returning to the fish dock area, Barry spotted a fishing boat pulling a large trail of gulls behind it. Moreover he spotted our target bird. It soon disappeared round the corner into the fish dock proper. We were privileged to be invited inside the electric gates to photograph this confiding bird. Here it is!
We left it in peace as it walked off into next year...
So, to sum up...
267 year ticks = worst year since 2008. But a very good year for photographs and some cracking birds including 9 lifers. My highlights would be the big shearwaters [great and Cory's] plus the hoopoe, red-necked phalarope, little terns at Crimdon Dene and the Lockwood osprey. Of those only the shearwaters were lifers. Site of the year: Sand Point Lane, Sunderland: siberian lesser whitethroat and olive-backed pipit!
Here are just a few reminders...
..and finally a reminder of summer days to come...
Targets to spur me on:
1: photograph 15 more species of British Birds to get to 300 -and improve some of the ones I have photographed.
2: see 300 birds again.
3: 10 lifers in UK
4: website hits to reach 20,000 and BirdGuides photo votes to reach 6,000
See you next year!
Best wishes to all my readers, everywhere.
Chris